Resplendent – Chapter 455

Chapter 455 – Consultation

Young Prince Qing stood silently. After a long moment, he slowly exhaled and said heavily, “No need. If it’s convenient for her, have her treat me today.”

“But…” Princess Anya hesitated slightly.

“Don’t say another word. I’ve made up my mind!” Since being schemed against and infected with this unspeakable disease, Young Prince Qing had been angry, despondent, and self-destructive.

Especially when his father learned the truth; the look of abandonment in his eyes even made him contemplate ending his own life! If his sister hadn’t tirelessly run about for his treatment, if she hadn’t refused to give up, he might have already drunk a cup of poison to end his life.

Since their mother passed away, their father had been so infatuated with his concubines that he barely knew his own priorities, but he obediently listened to her. If not for the reputation he held, the position of the heir would likely have already gone to the son of that favored concubine.

If he died, wouldn’t the entire prince residence fall into the hands of his half-brother? Then, where would there be any place left for his sister? His sister had been spoiled by their mother. Without him keeping watch, she was bound to cause trouble sooner or later. He could not die!

However, bad news kept coming, and the small flames of hope in his heart were gradually doused. He didn’t want to see his father’s hesitant expressions, didn’t want to see the proud smile of that favored concubine, and certainly didn’t want to see his half-brother—only a year younger than him—acting arrogantly…That was why he claimed to be ‘resting’ and hid away in this estate.

The changes in his privates caused him to suffer daily, torn between pain and fear. He had heard that this disease would eventually cause the body to rot entirely, dying in agonizing torment. The physical pain itself was not terrifying: the terrifying part was the waiting for death, the slow erosion of one’s will, until total collapse.

He didn’t want to wait any longer; he didn’t want to wait even a moment! Even if the final outcome wasn’t what he wanted, he refused to live trembling and half-alive like a rat in a gutter!

After resting for half an hour, Gu Ye got up and walked in the courtyard. Lu Rui led her to an elegant courtyard. Bamboo groves, artificial rocks, flowing water, pavilions—every step revealed a picturesque scene.

Princess Anya paced anxiously in the flower hall. Seeing her arrive, she hesitated for a moment, dismissed all the servants, and spoke with a troubled expression: “Actually… There’s another patient here. The symptoms aren’t as severe as the previous one. Miss Gu, could you…?”

Gu Ye had already anticipated this and said calmly, “One patient or two, both can be treated. Have him come out for a consultation.”

“But this patient is a man,” Princess Anya stammered.

“In a healer’s eyes, there is no male or female, only patients and healthy people!” Gu Ye said without a trace of hesitation. In the previous world, it was common for women to be urologists and men to be gynecologists. There was nothing to make a fuss about.

“Th-then alright. I’ll go bring the patient,” Princess Anya said, utterly flustered. She had never felt so at a loss, unsure where to put her hands or feet, like a child caught in wrongdoing.

A man dressed in plain indigo cotton, with his head covered by a thick veil, appeared in the flower hall. He slowly took a seat in a chair, every movement graceful, his demeanor reflecting excellent upbringing.

Gu Ye signaled for him to extend his hand. After taking his pulse, she looked him directly in the eyes and asked, “Do you remember the day you came into contact with the source of the infection? The more specific the date, the better!”

“I’ll never forget!” A pleasantly deep male voice came from behind the thick veil.

Princess Anya, worried that her brother was too shy, hurriedly interjected, “It was the evening eighteen days ago. He was drugged, and the mastermind sent that wretch next door, which is why… He has always been chaste, never even used the servant quarters prepared at home…”

“Anya, get out!” Hearing such a shameful matter spoken by his sister, Young Prince Qing was overcome with both embarrassment and anger. Of course, his anger was not directed at his sister. He already had a suspicion about the mastermind, though he had not yet obtained concrete evidence.

“For the patient’s privacy, Princess, please wait in the courtyard for the results,” Gu Ye said, having subtly guessed the relationship between the two. Exposing one’s most vulnerable side in front of his own sister must feel unbearably uncomfortable.

Through the veil, Young Prince Qing looked at the petite figure before him. Judging by appearance and voice, he seemed not much older than his sister. Yet her composed manner, calm expression, and reassuring gaze gave him a sense of comfort.

“Anya is correct. It was that evening eighteen days ago when I came into contact with the patient next door!” Suddenly, Young Prince Qing felt an urge to laugh. He actually trusted a child barely in her teens without hesitation. Was this what people meant by ‘a desperate patient clutching at any straw’?

“What about the symptoms? The more detailed, the better!” If possible, she would prefer to examine him personally. But propriety between men and women was strict. If she requested such a thing, would she scare the patient away?

Thinking of the symptoms there, Young Prince Qing felt incredibly embarrassed. Was it not far too improper to describe such a private area to a young lady?

Seeing his difficulty, Gu Ye offered an alternative: “How about this—I’ll describe the symptoms of the three stages of syphilis, and you tell me which match.” Since he did not object, she assumed he agreed.

“Stage‑one syphilis: the affected area develops a pea‑sized, painless, itch‑free, round or oval, clearly defined hard nodule or sore, usually solitary. Have you had this before?” Gu Ye took out her fountain pen and scribbled on a sheet of paper as she asked. Afterward, she looked up at the patient.

Young Prince Qing struggled internally for a long moment before steeling himself. His voice was barely louder than a mosquito’s hum as he forced out a single word: “Yes!”

“The surrounding area becomes hard; the surface quickly erodes or ulcerates, but without pus or discomfort. Has this occurred as well?” Gu Ye lowered her head and wrote a few more lines, continuing.

Expressionless now and resigned to his fate, Young Prince Qing nodded. “It has already appeared.”

“Have you experienced systemic symptoms—such as fever, headache, joint soreness, or swollen lymph nodes?” Gu Ye kept her head lowered, recording carefully.

“Lymph nodes?” Young Prince Qing murmured.

Gu Ye lifted her gaze, looking toward the patient’s neck hidden behind the veil. “Could you lift the veil up to your chin so I can examine your neck?” she requested.

By now, Young Prince Qing had relaxed and no longer seemed as embarrassed as at the beginning. He slowly lifted a corner of the veil with his hand. Gu Ye noticed that the patient had long, well-proportioned fingers—a very attractive pair of hands.

With his neck now exposed, she stepped forward two paces and carefully examined it with her eyes. Then, with lightning‑fast speed, she quickly palpated the areas of the lymph nodes on his neck.